Application Deadline

Application Requirements

Applications to the Executive MPA program must include the following materials. All students are required to fill out the online application. Any materials that cannot be uploaded into the online application system should be mailed to: The College of Liberal and Professional Studies Admissions, 3440 Market Street, Suite 100, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3335.

The admissions team will not review an application until all necessary materials are received. No exceptions will be made.

$75 nonrefundable application fee

Any applicant to a Fels Institute of Government MPA program who is a current member or alumna/us of one of our admissions partner organizations is eligible for an application fee waiver. Please e-mail lps@sas.upenn.edu (attention: Mary Bustamante) to request a fee waiver code, which must be used on the payment screen before submitting the application.

Personal statement and essay

The personal statement should be approximately 500 words and should address your professional goals and how a Fels education can help you attain them.

Your second essay should be approximately 500 words and should identify and discuss an example where you used evidence to make a policy recommendation and what you learned from that experience.

Please compile your responses into a single document (keeping them as separate essays) and upload to the online application system.

Resume or CV

Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended

Applicants may upload unofficial copies of domestic transcripts to the online application system. If admitted to the MPA program, applicants will be required to submit official copies of transcripts and should do so upon notification of admission.

Two letters of recommendation

Please including at least one academic letter from a recommender who taught you.

Standardized test scores

Applicants are required to submit standardized test scores unless they have five years or more of formal work experience.

Applicants who wish to be considered for a merit-based scholarship must submit standardized test scores, regardless of work experience.

GRE scores must be sent to code 2986, U Pennsylvania Coll Lib Prof Stdy, which is the office that processes applications for Fels.

LSAT scores are accepted in lieu of GRE scores. Please note that LSAC will not report official scores to non-law/non-business schools. Applicants submitting LSAT should upload a copy of their score report to the online application.

Personal interview

All are required to have an interview.

For international applicants

The Executive MPA program is a part-time program, and therefore students enrolled in this program are ineligible to receive an F-1 student visa. If you are an international student interested in pursuing an MPA from the Fels Institute of Government, consider applying to our full-time MPA program.